Despite a recent ban on popular app TikTok by the U.S. Senate, local businesses in Lincoln remain optimistic that the app will continue to be available for use. Many establishments rely on social media platforms like TikTok to promote their products and services, and its impact on the U.S. economy is significant with millions of American users and businesses utilizing it for sales and growth opportunities.
Stacy Tamerius, owner of Butterfly Bakery and Sunflower House Cookies, emphasizes the importance of social media in bringing customers into her business. Her companies showcase their cakes and cookies on their TikTok account, attracting customers through the platform’s creative content. The app, owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company with ties to the Communist Party, has become a crucial tool for many businesses in promoting themselves online.
However, legislation currently being considered by Congress aims to ban TikTok in the U.S., unless ByteDance sells the app to an American company. Senator Pete Ricketts explained that this measure is aimed at preventing foreign adversaries like China from owning platforms that could pose a threat to national security. While this bill may potentially impact millions of users and businesses that rely on TikTok for their social media presence, it does not completely ban the app but rather seeks to protect national security interests.
In conclusion, while there may be concerns about national security risks posed by foreign-owned social media platforms like TikTok, local businesses in Lincoln have found significant benefits in using these platforms to promote themselves online. As Congress continues to debate legislation related to these issues, it remains uncertain how these measures will impact businesses both domestically and internationally in the long term.